Alexander, Caroline. Mrs Chippy’s last expedition, London : Bloomsbury, 1997.

Caroline Alexander, a talented author praised for her accuracy and detailed accounts of historical events, has written the story of Shackleton’s expedition on board the Endurance from London to Antarctica in 1914. Alexander has told the story through the eyes of Mrs Chippy, the ship’s tabby cat.  He was a tough tomcat, and he belonged to Henry McNeish, the ship's carpenter. Once on board, the cat followed McNeish around like an overly possessive wife, and that's how he was given the name Mrs Chippy, even though he was a tomcat. Mrs Chippy was intelligent,  good natured and affectionate, as well as a first-rate mouser and ratcatcher. Based on true accounts from the ship’s crew, this is a medium paced light hearted tale of the humorous, clever and mischievous antics of a much loved ships cat, and would be suitable for both adults and children.